Renal Endarterectomy, Bypass, Angioplasty and Stents

Renal vascular disease refers to a variety of complications that affect the arteries and veins of the kidneys. These complications affect the blood circulation of the kidneys, and may cause damage to the tissues of the kidneys, kidney failure, and/or high blood pressure. There are various procedures that can be used in treating renal vascular disease:

Angioplasty and Stents - During this minimally invasive procedure, a catheter with a balloon attached to the end is inserted through the renal artery. Once the catheter reaches the blockage or narrowing, the balloon is inflated to widen the artery. Sometimes, a stent is inserted to the point of occlusion (blockage). Once positioned, it is expanded to keep the artery wall from re-narrowing.
Bypass - A renal bypass is a surgical procedure that bypasses the occluded renal artery. There are several variations of such procedures.
Endarterectomy - In a renal endarterectomy, your surgeon removes the plaque from the inner lining of your renal artery. The artery is then widened, returning blood flow to normal.

These procedures are for symptomatic renal-vascular disease only. They are needed when there is a severe narrowing along with an elevation in creatinine (a blood test that helps assess kidney function) and/or high blood pressure that is out of control and requires multiple medications to treat.

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